Terrible weather conditions over the past few weeks have delayed construction on an area which was projected to reopen before the new year.

The Stoneyton Creek Bridge on N.C. 58, which was originally projected to re-open Dec. 31, has seen its opening delayed even further due to inclement weather.

The Department of Transportation’s New Bern construction unit was appointed with the project. Paul Vorwerk, the assistant resident engineer for the division, said the cold and rain have prevented progress from being made.

“The weather has been playing with us the past couple of weeks,” Vorwerk said. “Paving is the main thing, but the guard rail still needs to go up and there needs to be seeding and mulching in certain areas.”

Kinston City Manager Tony Sears said he has been informed about progress being made, but the weather has to cooperate for the project to be completed.

“The bridge is in, the structure is in and the subgrade is in, but the asphalt isn’t,” Sears said. “There needs to be three days of seasonal, dry weather to finish the job.”

DOT district engineer Johnny Metcalf said favorable weather — even if it is sporadic — would be helpful in laying down the asphalt.

“Weather 50 degrees or higher would be needed in order to get the asphalt to act like it’s supposed to and clear inspection,” Metcalf said. “Even if the temperatures are cold early, as long as it rises to more than 50 degrees by noon, the contractor can place it.

“There are three lifts of asphalt — the base, the intermediate and the surface. With one day of good weather, the base could be laid. Even if it rains for two days afterwards, the asphalt won’t be affected.”

Metcalf said he isn’t working on the project and said the contractor makes the judgments.

“The contractor looks at the weather and decides whether or not to take the mobilizing equipment for one day of placing asphalt,” Metcalf said.

Even as rain fell sporadically and temperatures hovered around 50 degrees, DOT employees went out to the bridge to take care of non-paving tasks Tuesday. Edward Eatmon, the Greenville DOT division construction engineer, said winter is very challenging.

“We’re doing the best we can out here,” Eatmon said. “If we were to go without rain for two weeks, everything would be done.”

According to accuweather.com, the high today will be 60 degrees with a 16 percent chance of precipitation throughout the day. Afterwards, two of the next three days are projected to be less than 50 degrees, followed by the next three above the necessary temperature.

Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.